Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport and a form of self-defense that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It was derived from the Japanese martial art of Kodokan Judo in the early 20th century, which was itself then a recently-developed system (founded in 1882), based on multiple schools (or Ryu) of Japanese jujutsu.

It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend them self against a bigger, stronger assailant using leverage and proper technique; most notably, by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat them. BJJ can be trained for sport grappling tournaments (Gi and No-Gi) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition or self-defense. Sparring (commonly referred to as 'rolling') and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition.

Carlos Gracie (September 14, 1902-October 7, 1994) was the first Gracie to learn Judo from Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda. Based on this judo training, Carlos and his brothers founded the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos Gracie died in 1994 at the age of 92. He was a member of the legendary Gracie family and was Hélio Gracie's oldest brother.

He was taught judo by Otávio Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese emigrant to Brazil who was then a 4th dan Kodokan judoka. Carlos then passed the teachings on to his brothers Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., Jorge, and Hélio. In 1925, the brothers opened their first academy in Brazil, marking the beginning of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Carlos Gracie had 21 children, 12 of whom earned the rank of Black Belt in Gracie Jiu-jitsu. These 12 are:

Black Belt, 9th degree

    Carlson Gracie

    Robson Gracie

    Reyson Gracie

Black Belt, 8th degree

    Reylson Gracie

    Rosley Gracie

    Carley Gracie

Black Belt, 7th degree

    Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie Jr.

    Carlion Gracie

    Rocian Gracie

Black Belt, 6th degree

    Crolin Gracie

    Rillion Gracie

Black Belt

    Rolls Gracie (Raised by Helio Gracie)

Carlos "Carlinhos" Gracie, Jr. (born January 17, 1956) is a 7th degree Black/Red Belt (The belt designated to a "Master" or "Mestre") in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) under his late father Carlos Gracie. He started the Gracie Barra Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is head of the Gracie Barra, one of the largest and most successful worldwide Jiu-Jitsu associations. He's a member of the legendary Gracie family. Carlos is the creator of the International Federation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-jitsu which run the largest Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in the world: the Mundials, Pan American and European Championships.

Black Belt, 6th degree

   Carlos Machado

   Jean Jacques Machado

   Rigan Machado

Black Belt, 4th degree

   John Machado

   Roger Machado

   Renato Magno

Renato Magno (born June 21, 1966) is a 4th degree Black Belt. He started the “Street Sports Acedemy” in 1998. Over the years, he has accumulated several awards both in Brazil and in the United States. Renato's fine character combined with his extraordinary skills made him one of the best Judo & Jiu-Jitsu fighters and one of the world's greatest martial arts experts.

Renato Magno Black Belt students are:

Black Belt, 2th degree

   Allan Zaborosvky

   Greg Maynor

   Kenny Bond

Black Belt, 1st degree

   Travis Lewis

   Chris Lisciandro

Black Belt

   Ricardo Wilkie

   Rikki Rockett

   John Rickel

   Tim Bond

   Bob Jennings

   Rob Dixon

   Adam Treanor

   Matt Cable

   Francisco Arias

   Rafael Carrao

   Tim Roth

   Silvio Macias

   and

   YOU !!!

   Come to make part of the Jiu-jitsu History !!!